What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 2
Our fair and Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina, is painted with dabs and dots of a single signature color, which is commonly referred to as Charleston Green. It's a color that could dress up the shabbiest Charleston single house, and aggrandize the smallest freedman's cottage.
A green so dark it appears black, it lends an air of subtle chameleon mystery to streets with light streaming through moss draped trees. The color changes as you move and elevates what might have been a simple flat black to a rich and dignified tone.
The History Behind Charleston Green
Charleston Green lends a formal sensibility, but the purported history is more rebellious. The origin of the color is contested, but the story goes that after the American Civil War, the Union sent buckets of plain black government-issued paint down to Charleston to gloss over what war had done to the city. But Charlestonians, less than impressed with boring black, added yellow and blue (or green, depending on the source) to make the deep forest green now named for the city where it originated.
How to Use Charleston Green on Your Home
If you're strolling Downtown Charleston on the brick, pavement, or cobblestone streets, you'll notice the hue applied to front doors, window shutters, Italianate trim and even balustrades. There's no right or wrong way to use Charleston Green, but do remember that direct sunlight will heat the dark color and could cause it to bubble, or even be hot to the touch—a danger those moss draped trees can alleviate, since the Charleston housing market is quite hot enough on its own.
This deepest-deep green hue can be used in a variety of different exterior color schemes. The most classic is off-white with Charleston Green shutters and doors. Green shutters can compliment a lighter green home, a yellow home, or even a pink one.
If you'd like to add a touch of black-tie class, but don't want to darken your overall palette, try painting just the front door, or brushing the window sashes with Charleston Green while the casing remains white. Some homes paint only their front steps in the color. Window boxes are a nice place to add a deep green to bring out the green leaves and flowers and provide a visual anchor to the shape of the windows. Think of them as the strong brows on the face of your home.
You can also pull the color inside by using it on an interior staircase or in a study. Give a high-style makeover to a small half bath with a stunning high gloss enamel finish or treat a mantle to a stroke of dark green.
While the color chip is readily available from Historic Charleston Foundation's collection at your nearest Sherwin-Williams, you could also mix your own using a local recipe:
DIY: Charleston Green Recipe
10 ounces black paint
4 ounces green paint
½ ounce yellow paint
Now that you know what to look for, the next time you're walking South of Broad , you'll more easily spot the difference between a true black hue and the trademark tint that we call Charleston Green.
Looking for something different? See below for current listings downtown Charleston!
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48 South Battery
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20031569 / Active
The James Macbeth House, c. 1846, is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival architecture in Charleston. Steeped in history, including a visit ...
3 Chisolm Street UNIT #205
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20031500 / Active
A wonderful light filled space with oversized windows overlooking the park. Perfect for entertaining with an open floor plan. Chef's kitchen open...
46 Aiken Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 20031452 / Active
Located just a stone's throw from Charleston's world-class dining and shopping, this elevated newer construction home combines a perfect blend of m...
3 Savage Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20031438 / Active
This charming and colorful 2 bed,1.5 bath carriage house is located South of Broad, nestled away on delightful Savage Street. It is move-in ready a...
61 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20031423 / Active
The Motte Harvey House is located in the heart of Charleston's exclusive South of Broad neighborhood. This Pre-Revolutionary home, c 1731, is one o...
5 Jasper Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 20031358 / Active
Charming home located in Historic Downtown Charleston is now available! This 5 Bed/2 Bath home is located in the heart of town, with close proximit...
59 1/2 S Battery Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20031311 / Active
Tucked away from the street, this elevated townhome offers the best of South of Broad living with privacy and elegance. Down the driveway, a classi...
263 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Cannonborough-Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20031247 / Active
The sale of 263 Rutledge includes two buildings. The front building has five bedrooms, was built in 1890 and offers classic Charleston charm in the...
111 America Street UNIT A&B
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 20031239 / Active
Excellent investment potential as two buildings are included in this sale, 111 America A and B, both built in 2014! These properties were built to ...
109 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20031229 / Active Contingent
Here is your opportunity to live affordably in the heart of downtown Charleston. This end unit town house is located half way between King and Lega...
57 Society Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 20030956 / Active
** BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED CHARLESTON SINGLE DOWNTOWN WITH DUAL MASTERS AND A STUNNING OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING SPACE ** Welcome to the William McElheran ...
7 Sheppard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Eastside
Residential
MLS# 20030895 / Active
DUPLEX. GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY just a short walk to upper King Street, Courier Square, and the Cigar Factory. Perfect chance to earn rental i...
7 Smith Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 20030855 / Active Contingent
Lovely Harleston Village 1940's ''Four by Four'' constructed home situated on a large .24 acre lot convenient to all downtown amenities and steps t...
10 Bedons Alley
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20030784 / Active
Tucked away on one of Charleston's favorite alleys, this 1780's home is filled with charm, history, and a flexible floor plan. A light filled front...
35 1/2 Chapel Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough
Residential
MLS# 20030780 / Active Contingent
Charming, private, stylish: This restored 1920's cottage is a pure delight. Tucked off of Chapel Street in historic Mazyck-Wraggborough, this two b...
22 Lamboll Street UNIT 1/2
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20030708 / Active
This immaculate and original 1820 kitchen house is a perfectly placed pied-a-terre. The main level has both original cooking fireplaces, restored ...
266 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliottborough
Residential
MLS# 20030664 / Active
$20,000 PRICE IMPROVEMENT. This downtown, truly one-of-a -kind historic home with off street parking for 2 vehicles is a must see. Now priced at $...
Reduced -$20,000
109 E Bay Street UNIT 2b
Charleston, SC 29401
Printers Row
Residential
MLS# 20030624 / Active
Gorgeous 2nd floor loft from 1909 in prime South of Broad location! Located in the historic Printers Row building, this unit has been beautifully u...
Reduced -$100
79 Society Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 20030658 / Active
Look no further for the perfect spot in Historic Charleston! This elegantly appointed spacious 2 bedroom flat on coveted Society Street is conveni...
51 Bogard Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Elliotborough
Residential
MLS# 20030652 / Active
51 Bogard St - It's a historic gem, a vernacular masterpiece, high functioning, energy efficient and low maintenance. An extraordinary house from ...
3 Chisolm Street UNIT #204
Charleston, SC 29401
South of Broad
Residential
MLS# 20030469 / Active Contingent
South of Broad, glamorous and chic. Total recent renovation under the guidance of A Handegan Design. The perfect backdrop for art and design with o...
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker ReciprocitySM Program of the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Marshall Walker Real Estate are marked with the Broker ReciprocitySM logo or the Broker ReciprocitySM thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. Last updated on 12-03-2020 11:00 PM EST .
The broker providing these data believes them to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.
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